Ireland shuts down India in T20I ...... why Cricketers should not be role-models (says who !?)

 

Another day, another huge disappointment for ardent Indian Cricket lover !  you may identify the person in this pic ! but can you relate her to yesterday’s match.  The second photo may not be related to Indian performance – it is here more because I took it and believe it to be good !!

 

Losses are not new to Indian fan, especially those who watched Indian Team’s ordinary performances in 1980s .. .. but in recent times we are used to IPL extravaganza where 50 or even 60 in last 3 overs were regularly scored !! 

India suffered a historic 2-0 T20I series defeat against Ireland in Belfast, marking their first-ever series loss to the Irish team. Captain Shreyas Iyer's individual performance with the bat was highly disappointing; he managed only 3 runs off 6 balls in his captaincy debut before falling early in the chase.  In the second T20I,    India   got off to the worst start possible as they  lost Sanju Samson (0), Abhishek Sharma (0), Shreyas Iyer (10) and Ishan Kishan (12) inside the powerplay. Tilak Varma & Axar Patel scratched around as hope ran out dry !  yet  20 off the last over off a slow right arm off-spinner gave hopes but !!!    

 

The man on whom our hopes rested was Harshit Rana, who has been the butt of criticism from fans aftersome  rather disappointing display.  After a memorable Indian Premier League season in 2024 for the Kolkata Knight Riders, the pacer made his way up the pecking order and has represented the national team across all three formats. Coincidentally, Rana was a part of the KKR team that won the title with Gautam Gambhir as the mentor.  Harshit Rana was mainly criticized for two reasons: his performances in some matches, and claims of favoritism around his selection.   

Yesterday as India crept, 20 runs were required from the over bowled by H TEctor.  Arshdeep was the batter – 1^st ball was wide outside off; then Arsh scored a single; 18 off 5; a high full toss (wide), Harshit scored 2; off the free-hit, Harshit swung to leg, a thing edge ran through keeper  for a four; [9 off 2 scored – 11 required off 4!]. 19.3 Harshit ran a single; 4^th ball was a wide – then Arshdeep scored a single;  8 required off the last 2 !!  Another high full toss, Harshit hits it neat and straight into the hands at straight shorter boundary ! – taken by brother Tim Tector. Last ball was insignificant – 8 required, debutant Prince Yadav hammered it for a Six as India lost by 1 run !!  

Ireland were brave to pair Tector  up with a left-arm spinner in the death. Matt Humprheys knowing he was at the unfavorable end of the match-up did the only thing he could. He denied the short straight hit.   Ireland have swept the T20 World Champions 2-0. That meant India's unbeaten run which spanned 16 series and nearly three years has been irrevocably broken. The stars of this supreme result were Harry Tector, who scored a determined half-century to help put 154 on the board, and Jai Moondra, who picked up three wickets in the blink of an eye.  

Meantime, the much awaited Super Baby Boss Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the 15-year-old prodigy, was kept cooling in the dressing cardon.  India's assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said – he  will have to "go through the same process as everyone else and bide his time and wait" for a debut  !!  Sooryavanshi is here after  spectacular IPL 2026 season, where he finished with the Player-of-the-Tournament honours for his 776 runs in 16 innings, scored at 237.30 and a glorious U19 WC. The national selectors said he had forced their hand with his outrageous talent and performances, but the team management has not been as quick to put him into the first XI during their shock series defeat to Ireland.  

Sanju Samson, one of the incumbent openers,   scored golden ducks in both these matches, but the team management is not in any hurry to show him or any of the two other top-three players the door.  "He's absolutely ready to play international cricket, there's no doubt about that," ten Doeschate said when asked how far Sooryavanshi was from making his international debut.   Yesterday there were two other debutants Prince Yadav and Suryansh Shedge !!! As of now, Sooryavanshi is only part of India's T20I side and not the ODIs. He has been named for the five-match series in England, which begins on Wednesday, and then the Asian Games – will have to wait to see whether Team management prefers to use his precocious talent.   

In India Cine actors and Crickters are sensational stars !!  but do not look up to Cricketers as moral guide says who !!  (first read the excerpts of the article)

There is a strange and growing delusion in the modern world that a talent for playing a sport qualifies an individual to be a moral guide. Modern cricketers are no longer merely athletes - they are expected to be virtuous, unblemished citizens and pillars of community standards.   

This expectation is as unrealistic as it is unfair. Cricketers should not be held to a higher standard than the general population. To demand otherwise is to misunderstand both the nature of elite sport and human nature. The most obvious question is simple: why have cricketers become role models? They did not ask for it. A young girl or boy picks up a cricket bat because they love the thrill of the contest, the satisfaction of a perfectly timed cover drive, or the exhilaration of rattling a batter's off stump. They do not sign up to become guardians of community morals.   

A cricketer's contract is an agreement to perform on the field - not a vow of abstinence, sobriety and perpetual politeness. When we force them onto a moral pedestal, we set them up for a fall, judging them by standards the general public could never hope to maintain.   

Cricketers are human beings with normal frailties. They suffer from the same insecurities, temptations, lapses in judgement, and emotional pressures as the butcher, the baker, and the corporate executive. The only difference is that the local accountant does not have their private life dissected by millions on social media.  

Cricketers should be admired primarily for their cricket. If a player performs on the field and respects the laws of the land, their private life should remain just that: private. Cricket boards, chief executives and integrity units are not shadow judiciaries. It is not their job to pass moral judgement on lifestyles, late nights, or personal indiscretions that violate no actual laws. When sporting bodies try to act as arbiters of private morality, they inevitably end up mired in hypocrisy. If a cricketer breaks the law, let the legal system handle them like any other citizen. If they are not punished, let them play. Selection, not curfews, should be the ultimate arbiter.  

It is time to dismantle the pedestal. Let us appreciate cricketers for the joy and drama they provide between the boundary ropes. Let us accept that they are beautifully, entirely human - complete with the same flaws and frailties as the rest of us.  

Cricket is not a church. It is a magnificent, unpredictable contest played by brilliant, imperfect people. Let's enjoy it as such.- highlighted portion that of Greg Chappel !!!  

H Tector bowled a messy final over and still ensured Ireland victory.  The one pictured at the start is Alice Tector who is now playing Women T20I WC for Ireland.  Born into a cricketing family - his brothers Jack and Tim also captained Ireland at U19 World Cups - Harry Tector has quietly amassed an impressive record in the senior side since cementing a spot in the post-Covid era.  After former Ireland captain Laura Delany was ruled out of   Women's T20 World Cup 2026 in the UK with an injury,  Eighteen-year-old allrounder Alice Tector  replaced her in the squad.  Tector made her ODI debut in 2024 and has played five matches for Ireland now is playing  T20I.  

 
Another disappointment for the die-hard Cricket fan
 
Regards – S Sampathkumar
29.6.2026

 

illuminated bridge across sacred Ganga @ Haridwar

 

 

A memorable evening on the sacred banks of the Ganga

-  Haridwar, the Gateway to the Gods

 

Haridwar   the   sacred gateway to the Himalayas, a city famed for Har Ki Pauri, the Ganga aarti, and its deep Hindu pilgrimage tradition. The phrase “the mystic Haridwar” usually points to that spiritual atmosphere rather than a formal title.  It is one of the oldest living cities in India and is closely linked with the Ganga’s descent into the plains. 

Haridwar is associated with legends of Bhagirath, the Kumbh Mela, and the holy footprint of Vishnu at Har Ki Pauri. 

Pictured here - "Haridwar's cable-stayed bridge shining  in the colours of the Indian tricolour on Gandhi Jayanti (2 October 2019), its lights dancing upon the sacred waters of Mother Ganga—a beautiful confluence of modern engineering and timeless spirituality."

On that day  this cable-stayed bridge near Har Ki Pauri,   was  brightly illuminated in the colours of the Indian National Flag to mark Gandhi Jayanti. The saffron, white and green lights, reflected on the flowing waters of Mother Ganga, created a breathtaking sight.

Standing amidst one of India's holiest pilgrimage cities, this modern engineering marvel blends harmoniously with Haridwar's timeless spiritual heritage—a reminder that tradition and progress can coexist beautifully.

A moment where faith, patriotism, architecture and nature came together in a single frame. 

Regards – S Sampathkumar

29.6.2026

Strategy marketing and Sales !!!

 

How would one sell his wares !!!  How to Master the Art of Selling by Tom Hopkins is a classic sales book that treats selling as a learnable process, not a talent you’re born with. Its practical core includes prospecting, qualifying leads, handling objections, and closing deals.books.

 

This man may not have read Tom Hopkins but seems to suggest that a little strategy & arrangement is always important before you start trading !

Jhanvasa car oorvalam ~ தள்ளு மாடல் வண்டி இது தள்ளி விடுங்க

 

When was your marriage !!  1970s/ 80s  or before !!

did you enjoy  'mappillai azhaippu' in Jhanvasa car ?!?!

1.     Q no. 1  is above

2.     Do you remember this song !!

3.     Watched English movie – Yours, Mine and Ours !!!

 

தள்ளு மாடல் வண்டி இது தள்ளி விடுங்க

எண்ணெய்  வெல ஏறிப்போச்சு மாட்ட பூட்டுங்க

கோபாலா பூபாலா வேலப்பா வாடாப்பா

போற எடம் எங்கப்பா போனப்புறம் சொல்றேன்ப்பா

ஆள எண்ணிப்பாரப்பா ...ஆறு புள்ளதானப்பா

அட சரபோஜி மஹராஜா விளையாட்டுப் பருவத்தில்

இதிலேதான் போனாங்களாம்

Something that was too common a few decades ago ! most sought after … not in vogue now … today saw this bedecked, topless car bringing back memories of Chevrolet, Morris Minor, Plymouth cars that were in business !!!  those were the days when the travel was one of pride !!! 

The day before marriage (remember there was no reception or if there was one, it was on the day of marriage !) – bride groom and family (both sides) would visit the Temple, offer prayers and then the groom would be taken on a special ride known as ‘Jhanvasam’ in a open car.  Relatives would happily push their little kids inside leaving the space cramped … .. .. and in some development, the bride would be taken in another car, on the opposite side, somewhere along the procession, the cars would stop – allowing each to have a glimpse !!!!!!!

This song ‘Poomazhai thoovi vasanthangal vaaztha – oorvalam nadakinrathu’ – was a hit  - MGR would play instrument and sing this in ‘Ninaithathai Mudippavan’ (the man who concludes what he thinks) had MG Ramachandran in dual roles – this released in 1970s was a remake of blockbuster Hindi Film ‘Sachaa Jhutha’ starring Rajesh Khanna and Vinod Khanna. Years later, came ‘Mazhalai pattalam’ – a nice movie of Mouli came, it was directed by Lakshmi ….it was a story of persons with children marrying and the problems of  bringing up so many children… a car played a significant role in that film…….

 

All that about ‘Jhanvasam’ ……. Popular ritualistic occurrence in South Indian (or is that restricted to Tamilians only !) - equivalent of a North Indian Baraat. Understand that in good olden days, marriage alliance would often outside village – bridegroom would be taken around in a chariot in procession from the place of his stay to the marriage hall………… by some accounts, it was an introduction of groom to the elders of the village and also by parading, people could voice their opinion on the groom … which many a times lead to trouble too… 

Even in later days where the families knew each other; love-marriages; arranged marriages between known people and more – in the city atmosphere too, this blissfully continued. While it is to be a horse-ride in Northern parts of India – it slowly became an open car over here…. Bridegroom wearing a suit or Safari dress, sitting in the open car along with many children became regular sight…. then started the practice of bringing the bride in another car in the opposite direction, allowing her to have a vision of that wonderful jhanvasam…… many a mapillais (grooms) who had their Suits stitched for that occasion, would find no next chance to wear that ! 

Slowly it faded from spectacular to bizarre and ridiculed ….there were some who owned ‘jhanvasa cars’ old Morris, Plymouth and more – open hooded – in striking colours, hired for the jhanvasam function alone.  There would be host of relatives (especially women draped in pattu saris wearing gold jewellery of their choice) accompanying that slow moving jhanvasa car.  

You no longer see those Chevy Impala convertibles decked with flowers and cute children sitting literally on the lap of groom …  people had time and enjoyed every little chance being happy … now a days, everyone seems to be in a hurry – and makes a flying visit even for the marriage of close relatives.  Gone are those days, when the groom or people from his side made big issues at the time of marriage – the host of issues included the car not arriving in time, stopping, people having to push and in some few cases, the car being a closed one and the groom not able to see the whole outside or rather not to be seen by everyone else on Street. 

Sri Vaidvudai Amman Stores, next to Sri Raghavendra Mutt in Thulasinga Perumal Kovil Street, Triplicane, Chennai 600 005 is a famous shop known for quality butter and ghee.  This shop has been there for more than 70 years and regular customers make a beeline for buying ghee and butter, especially for Pooja and for submitting to God. 

Remember that they provided ‘janvasa car’ services – and their Morris minor car acted in the Mazhalai pattalam movie and in a few others as well. Nostalgic for those who have bought ghee from this shop and for others who had the privilege of jhanvasam – the song at the start - தள்ளு மாடல் வண்டி இது  is from  Mazhalai Pattalam, think that car was owned by the Ghee store of Triplicane. 

 

The movie Mazhalai Pattalam (lit. Army of children) was a directorial debut for actress Lakshmi – starring Vishnuvardhan, Sumithra, dialogues by Visu – music of MS Viswanathan hit the screens in 1980; film simultaneously filmed in Kannada as Makkala Sainya & remade in Telugu as Ramadandu.   

The movie was based on ‘Yours, Mine and Ours’    American family comedy drama film directed by Melville Shavelson, starring Lucille Ball, Henry Fonda and Van Johnson that hit the screens in 1968.  

Frank Beardsley is a Navy Chief Warrant Officer, recently detached from the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise and assigned as project officer for the Fresnel lens glide-slope indicator, or "meatball", that would eventually become standard equipment on all carriers. Helen North is a civilian nurse working in the dispensary at NAS Alameda, the California U.S. Navy base to which Frank is assigned.  Frank meets Helen, first by chance in the commissary on the base and again when Frank brings his distraught teenage daughter for treatment at the dispensary, where Helen informs him that the young lady is simply growing up in a crowded house which lacks a mother's guidance. They immediately hit it off and go on a date, all the while shying away from admitting their respective secrets: Frank has ten children and Helen has eight, from previous marriages ended by their spouses' deaths.

 
Interesting !  but do answer the Q 1 please !!
 
 
With regards – S. Sampathkumar
24.6.2026